Entries to Win Afghan

Sign up to receive the Books Leaving Footprints Newsletter. Comes out occasionally. No spam. No list swapping. Just email me! jhyshark@gmail.com
Previous gifts include a short story, a poem, and coupons. Add your name, and don't miss out!

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Yellow Flower

OK, this is an alien plant, even one of real concern in portions of the Pacific Northwest. But I've always liked it. Its common name is yellow goatsbeard, or meadow salsify. In binomial nomenclature it's Tragopogon pratensis.

The flowers are tall, and about 2 inches across. They tend to close in the full sun of mid-day. The roots of many of its relatives are edible, but I don't think this one is. The seed head is like that of a giant dandelion.

Wow! I saw what I think is the same type of flower at another blog. Her pictures must have been taken at mid-day because like you said it is closed up. I recognize the dark parts in the middle. They are nice looking flowers. Those dark parts are what make me like them.

Here's where I saw it in case you want to check it out: http://www.dancesofdreams.com/2009/06/yellow-wild-flower.html

I know this plant all to well too. We have it here and it does not seem to be gaining in the aggressive weed category. But we have plenty of others like yellow star thistle, Italian thistle, and German ivy to name a few. And the grasses... there are too many weedy ones to list. :(